Sean Geoghegan
| Name: | Sean Geoghegan |
|---|---|
| City: | Kilkenny |
| Country: | Ireland |
| Membership: | Adult Member |
| Sport: | Football/Soccer |
Don't do too many heading exercises at one time.

See the guidance at the top of this page to understand why you are not seeing interactive Football/Soccer images.
Method:
Heading for a clearance
A = practice off one side
B = practice off the other side
Server throws a high ball and player must header away as far as possible
Try not head directly out as that is likely to give the ball back to an opposition player in that area, try header it away in the direction above which would be a safer clearance in a game.
(Same practice of the other side yellow coned area, this allows you to header from both directions and again coach changes different areas)
Coaching Points:
Body Shape : Open body to the ball and adjust body more open to make clearance in the direction you want to head the ball.
Direction : Think of a goal inside you and why you are heading to the area you headed to.
Timing : Meet the ball at its highest point, as the ball is coming down then jump up to meet the ball
The header :
If looking for power, Head the ball in the middle.
If looking to get longer distance, head under the ball but must attack the ball with pace.
Progression :
Longer distances - Get the coach/feeder/player to kick/throw it in from further away which would make it more realistic, like defending a cross or a corner.
Coach moves from different areas, as you see number 1 is in behind the defender, 2 is in line with the defender, 3 is in front of the defender, these 3 areas are like 3 different areas dealing with a cross.
Notes :
- Only do 3 sets x 5 headers from each area, don't over do headers.
- Take breaks between sets, but when doing the exercise make sure hard work is being done!
- Every header needs you to keep your eye on the ball and attack the ball, no soft jumps or headers, every header needs 100% detail !
Challenge :
1 - Whats the furthest you can head the ball back to the coach without the ball hitting the ground.
© Copyright 2026 Sport Session Planner Ltd.
Animation Controls (PCs, Macs, Laptops):
Play animation
Play step-by-step
Repeat (toggle)
Full Screen
Pause
Stop
Back/Forward: Drag timeline button
Basic Headers (10 mins)
Method:
Heading - 5 headers with run forward & jog backwards
Run the length of red cones, job backwards then header back to player.
Again, run the full length of the cones & jog backwards but next header is a cone closer (2nd last cone)
Again, run the full length of cones and job backwards and then header the ball back and this time stop at the 3rd last cone and so on.
Do this 3 times with a nice break between sets.
Coaching Points:
Body Shape :Open body to the direction you want to make the header
Direction : Try head the ball to the players chest (To challenge yourself can you get power with the headed accuracy.
Timing : Meet the ball at its highest point, as the ball is coming down then jump up to meet the ball
The header :
If looking for power, Head the ball in the middle.
If looking to get longer distance, head under the ball but must attack the ball with pace.
Progression :
1 - Longer distances.
2 - Play a 1-2 combination on the ground and then the coach picks up the ball and you jog backwards to your area to head the ball.
Notes :
- Only do 3 sets, don't over do headers.
- Take breaks between sets, but when doing the exercise make sure hard runs and hard backwards runs are being done.
- Every header needs you to keep your eye on the ball and attack the ball, no soft jumps or headers, every header needs 100% detail !
Challenge :
1 - Can you get 5/5 headers straight to the players chest/arms
2 - Whats the furthest you can head the ball back to the coach without the ball hitting the ground.